MINUTES OF THE WOLVERHAMPTON SHAMROCK CELTIC SUPPORTERS' CLUB AGM HELD ON SUNDAY, 12TH MAY 2002 AT THE NEW INN, WOLVERHAMPTON

PRESENT:

Committee Members:

Non-committee Members:

Apologies:

1. Chairman's Welcome

Peter Willis opened the meeting by thanking the members of the committee and the supporters club as a whole for increased attendance at recent meetings. Special thanks went to Phil for his work as secretary, John for his role as treasurer and to Steve as bus convenor.

Kevin Boyden voiced special thanks to the club for supporting him in his role as vice-chairman and bus convenor over the past three seasons. Kevin announced that he expects to be moving permanently to Tampa Bay, Florida in the near future. Kevin then presented the club with a pennant from the Tampa Bay CSC.

2. President's Address

Joe echoed Peter's thanks to the club members for their support over the past season and thanked the members present for their attendance. He voiced special thanks to the committee for the work undertaken in running the club.

The committee then stood down and Joe invited nominations for the new committee.

3. Election of New Committee

The committee for the season 2002-2003 is as follows:

President Joe McClory
Chairman Peter Willis
Vice-Chairman Kevin Boyden
Secretary Phil Kelly
Treasurer John Parsons
Bus Convenor Steve Thornton
Minutes Secretary Sarah Yardley
Members Mick Murphy
Roy Simpson
Eddie Drummond
Stuart Fox

Andy Sutherland stepped down from the committee but agreed to continue to maintain and update the club website

4.Secretary's Report

a)Past Season

Phil began by stating that the past season has been the hardest since the club started. The lack of a club home had a major impact on club support and communication with members. A four-week rule for paying for club trips was introduced at the start of the season and initially worked well but as the season progressed we were unable to continue this due to problems with ticket allocations and money was lost on trips as a result.

b) Tickets

Tickets have become harder to come by through the association this year. Nevertheless,the club has built a good relationship with the Celtic association and is trying to foster good relations with ticket services to improve allocations for next season.

c) Rangers Tickets

Problems arose with the allocation of Rangers tickets last season primarily due to the very late notice of ticket allocation that the club received. Therefore for the first Celtic V Rangers game the tickets went to members who had requested and paid for tickets. This led to complaints from members who had not realised the possibility of gettigna ticket. Phil acknowleged that mistakes had been made.

For the second Auld Firm game of the season tickets were offered to those members who had attended most matches and then on a first come - first served basis.

Phil outlined the difficulties involved in trying to allocate these tickets fairly and invited suggestions as to how to distribute future tickets. A working party was agreed to look into this matter

d) Club Season Tickets

The club has applied for two season tickets for the 2002/2003 season. Phil appealed for suggestions as to how to fairly distribute the tickets.

e) Travel Arrangements

The club has been looking at new bus companies to use in the forthcoming season. Phil stepped down form his role in co-ordinating travel arrangements and Steve Thornton agreed to take on this role in future.

Phil also highlighted the possibility of trains running from Glasgow on Saturday evenings which may facilitate travel to more games.

f) Membership Forms

Membership forms are available for next season. The price remains unchanged from last season.

g) End of Season Function

This years end of season function is to be held at The New Inn, on Friday 31st May. Phil appealed to all members to support this function and made a request for suitable raffle prizes to be donated.

h) The Future of the Club

Phil hoped for renewed support for the supporters club now that we once again have a stable base at the New Inn. It was hoped that this would facilitate increased contact and communication with members. Phil reminded all members that they are welcome to attend committee meetings.

The one uncertainty for next year is the lack of a TV deal for the SPL. The committee will monitor developments in this area.

i) Thankyou

Phil finished by thanking the following people. Peter Willis for his work in producing the excellent newsletters and for all his other supporting roles. To Sturat Fox for the printing work undertaken in the past season. To Steve Thorbton for his duties as bus convenor, To John Parsons as Treasurer, Andy Sutherland for maintaining the web-site and to Kanga and Pablo for their continued hospitality for matches.

5.Treasurer's Report

John Parsons presented the financial report for the 2001/2002 season. The bank balance at the close of the season was £1649. This represents a loss of £135 over the season. A number of reasons were given for this including the lack of a club home restricting raffles and social events. John expressed some concern at the reduction in a liquid "float" and explained that future trips may need to be paid for in advance to accommodate this.

6 Any other business

Stuart Fox agreed to take on the role of looking at club merchandise.

There was no further business and the meeting was brought to a close.